Naval Documents of The American Revolution Volume 4 AMERICAN THEATRE: Feb. 19, 1776–Apr. 17, 1776 EUROPEAN THEATRE: Feb. 1, 1776–May 25, 1776 AMERICAN THEATRE: Apr. 18, 1776–May 8, 1776 Part 6 of 7 United States Government Printing Office Washington, 1969 Electronically published by American Naval Records Society Bolton Landing, New York 2012 AS A WORK OF THE UNITED STATES FEDERAL GOVERNMENT THIS PUBLICATION IS IN THE PUBLIC DOMAIN. AMERICAN THEATRE From April 18,1776, to May 8,1776 AMERICAN THEATRE From April 18, 1776, to May 8, 1776 SUMMARY Toward the end of April 1776, the war in America was at a pause - a lull before the storm. Admiral Shuldham had arrived at Halifax with Howe's dispirited army. The Massachusetts authorities were cleaning up the debris and appraising the damage wrought by the British before their departure from Boston. The siege of Quebec was at a stalemate. Com- modore Hopkins' fleet lay in New London, its crews decimated by sickness, and about to seek a safer haven in the Providence River. Privateering, voted by the Continental Congress, had been too recently authorized to show results as yet. General Washington, at New York, was preparing defenses to receive the enemy attack, which he wisely anticipated. On the British side, General Sir Henry Clinton, off Cape Fear, impatiently awaited the arrival of the long expected fleet under Sir Peter Parker, and Lord Cornwallis' five thousand men, for the proposed invasion of North Carolina. There had been a few naval actions; John Barry's cap- ture of the sloop Edward, and Captain James Nicholson's brush with the sloop Otter in the upper Chesapeake Bay. British frigates continued reap- ing a rich reward among the unarmed merchant vessels carrying the pro- duce of the Colonies to Europe and the West Indies in exchange for war supplies. Thirteen frigates on the stocks, from Portsmouth to Baltimore, were yet to be launched, and desperate but largely futile efforts were being made to cast their guns. From Maine to Georgia a determined people awaited the opening of the spring campaign. 1147 1148 AMERICAN THEATRE 18 Apr. Chatham in Halifax Harbour, 18th April 1776. Sir, General Howe having thought proper to send three Transports with a Re-inforcement of the 47th Regt to General Carleton at Quebec, and hav- ing made application to me for a Convoy to conduct them thither, I am to inform you that I have Ordered Captain [George] Talbot of the Niger to take the said Transports under his care, and proceed with them accordingly. I am Sir [&c.] M: Shuldham [Endorsed] 18 Apl 1776 Halifax V.A.Shuldham R 6 June 1. PRO, Admiralty 11484. [Lebanon, April 18,17761 His Excellency Govr Brown of New Providence, came with Coll Stew- art on Wednesday the 17th instant - the Governor desired to know whether he was considered a Prisoner - if so what was his Crime? - I shewed him Ad- miral Hopkins's Letter - & informed him 'that it is my duty to hold hini in the same Character the Commander in Chief of the Continental Fleet deliv- ered him, and could not receed from it - I desired him to sign the Parole prepared, he would meet kind treatment according to his rank and quality - Many things were said - the next Morning I offered Govr Brown the foregoing Parole to Sign -He declined it as being dishonorable - He of- fered to conform to my Orders and Directions-He would do what I ordered - I recited the Parole He said - upon the Honor of a Govr and a Gentleman he gave his Parole to abide at Windham & Conform to the things mentione[d] until I received the order and direction of Congress - being informed of my being absent at the Assembly he must abide such time as was convenient for me - to this he complied - He had wished me to write to the Congress, for their Opinion - I desired him to give the particulars to be communicated - I would comply with his request - He further mentioned his bodily indisposition - his baggage being at New ohd don, and several things doing for him there - which made it con- venient for him to return to that place, which was consented to on his Parole, to return to Windham Wednesday or Thursday of Next week. 1. Conn. Arch., 1st Series, V, 393a, 393b, ConnSL. 2. Ibid., 393a, preceding the narrative, Governor Trumbull had appended the parole Browne had refused to sign. It read: I Montfort Brown Esqr Governor of New Providence, A Prisoner in the Power of the Governor and Council of Safety for the Colony of Connecticut, being delivered to them by the Commander in Chief of the Fleet of the United Colonies in America having been kindly treated and Protected by them and enlarged On Parole- APRIL 1776 1149 Do hereby Solemnly promise and engage on the Honor of a Gentleman- that I will not bear Arms against the American Colonies in any Manner Whatever for the Space of twelve Months or until I may be exchanged-nor during that Time take any Measures to give intelligence to the British Ministry or Ministerial Army or Navy - Or to any Person or persons whatsoever relative to the American Affairs - but will proceed with all convenient Speed to the Town of Windham in this Colony and peaceably abide within the limits of said Town ship -and submit myself to the fur- ther Directions of the said Governor and his Council of Safety.-That I will not directly or indirectly Attempt to procure an[y pelrson or persons to rescue me- and that I will not go on [boarld any British Ship of War during the Continuance of my . Engagements not to bear Arms - Colony of Connecticut Lebanon 18th April 1776 Sir: New York, April 18, 1776. I received your Favour of the 11th. Inst In Answer to Colonel [John] Glover's Application to you, I am of Opinion, that all Accounts respecting the armed Vessels should be paid by the Agents only; and as the,Trial of the Prizes cannot be much longer deferr'd, they will have Cash, for the Goods which may be condemned, in their Hands much more than sufficient to an- swer the Demands upon them. If there is not a Probability of this, you will be pleased to give a Warrant for as much as will pay the Wages due. The Ship Jenny and the Brigantine [Little Hannah] both taken by Commodore Manley, the former from London, the latter from Antigua, bound to Boston; are by what I can learn proper Vessels to be fitted out as Cruizers. You will, therefore, Sir, have a Person of Knowledge and Trust sent on Board to examine them. If the Report of them is such as they have been represented to me, you must have them purchased for Account of the United Colonies. If Commodore Manley is in your Neighbourhood his Opinion of them must have Weight, and if they are fit for the Purpose, he will of Course, have his Choice of them & attend the fixing one of them out. His first Lieutenant can command the Hancock in the mean Time. The sooner this is put in Execution the better. Nothing material to inform you of from hence. I am, kc. 1. Fitzpatrick, ed., Writings of Washington, IV, 490. MINUTESOF THE NEWYORK COMMITTEE OF SAFETY In Committee of safety New York April 18th 1776 - Whereas the provincial Congress of this Colony by their Order of the 18th of february last did forbid all Communication between the Ships of War in the Port of New York and the Ship in which Governor Tryon resides on the one part and all the Inhabitants of the Colony on the other except for sup- plies of necessary Provisions for the use of the said Ships only, under certain restrictions therein mentiond AMERICAN THEATRE And Whereas the said Congress on the 8th day of March last did resolve and order further Regulations for furnishing such Supplies as aforesaid upon ex- press proviso however; that the said Supplies were to take place and be continued on Condition, that there should be no Obstruction given to any Boats or Vessels bringing Provisions, Provender or fire Wood to this City; which Obstruction has nevertheless been repeatedly given and the benefit of such Supplies are thereby become forfeited: And Whereas the said Congress by a Resolve of the 15th of March last did among other Things authorize this Committee to execute or cause to be exe- cuted, Orders, Resolves and recommendations as well of the Continental as of the said Provincial Congress and also to comply as far as this Committee shall think proper, with any requisition by the Generals of the Continental forces or any or either of them. And Whereas his Excellency General Washington has in writing signified to this Committee that he conceives any intercourse whatsoever with the Ene- mies on board the said Ships is injurious to the common Cause, by enabling them, while they are furnished with provisions, to continue in our Har- bours, and maintain a regular Channel of Intelligence advancive of their own Plans, and to our great disadvantage and injury And has thereby re- quested our Assistance in putting a stop to this Evil and to cooperate with him in such Measures as shall be effectual either to prevent any future Cor- respondence with the Enemy, or in bringing to condign Punishment such Persons as may be hardy and wicked enough to carry it on. It is therefore Resolved & Ordered that no Inhabitant of this Colony upon any pretence or for any purpose whatsoever either in Person or in writing directly or indi- rectly do presume to have or maintain any Intercourse whatsoever with any Ship or Vessel1 belonging to or employed in the service of the King of great Britain or any of his Officers or Ministers, or with any Person or Persons on board of the same upon pain of being dealt with in the severest Manner as Enemies to the Rights and Liberties of the united North American Colo- nies.